Everett dominated the physical semi-final as Julius Miettinen finally found the scoresheet, crushing the Chicoutimi Saguenéens to set up a high-stakes championship showdown against the Kitchener Rangers.
In the battle of the prospects, Julius Miettinen came out on top. Miettinen and Alexis Bernier faced off in the semi-final match of the CHL’s Memorial Cup Tournament Friday night. The winner would go on to meet the Kitchener Rangers in the final, while the loser would be eliminated from play.
Almost from the first puck drop, the Everett Silvertips were in control. The first period ended with Everett up 2-1 over the Chicoutimi Saguenéens though neither Kraken prospect directly contributed to the scoring. Three more goals for Everett in the 2nd period put Miettinen’s Silvertips up 5-1 with twenty minutes remaining.
Both teams were fighting hard for their chance at the final, and the game got more and more physical as it progressed. Bernier took a two minute penalty for boarding in the second—a nasty hit on Landon Dupont (projected to go first overall in the 2027 NHL Draft) that nearly led to a line brawl as teammates on both sides jumped in to the fray.
Unfortunately for Bernier, it did not turn around. Julius Miettinen got the monkey off his back with his first point of the tournament—a goal with assists by Rylan Gould and Matias Vanhanen just 45 seconds into the third period. By the time the buzzer sounded, Miettinen and the Silvertips had secured a decisive 6-1 victory and punched their ticket to the Memorial Cup Final.
The final will take place Sunday, May 31st at 4pm and is available to watch on the NHL Network and streaming for free on Victory+.
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